In the bag: MA sacks Saks to advance to Final 4

Madison Academy guard Halie Loney guards Saks' Addesha Collins during the Mustangs' Elite 8 victory Saturday.

The game got out of hand.

The celebration was tame.

It was business for usual for Madison Academy, as the Lady Mustangs dominated the Sakes Lady Wildcats, 69-31, in the Elite 8 at Jacksonville State University to advance to the Final 4 in Birmingham.

The Mustangs (34-3) jumped on the Wildcats (23-9) early with a 6-0 lead, but Saks came roaring back to pull the game within one.

That would be as close as the Wildcats would get.

Madison Academy opened a 26-11 lead at the end of the first quarter and extended it to a 29-point lead at the half.

Offensively, the Mustangs beat down the Wildcats in the paint, outscoring Saks 46-10.

Nyla Johnson, the tournament’s Most valuable Player, led the Mustangs’ effort in the paint with 20 points, including 10-of-10 from the free throw line.

“It makes me feel confident,” Johnson said.

“I appreciate our team effort on defense, and Nyla Johnson 10-for-10 from the free throw line is impressive,” said Madison Academy head coach Brian Privett.

The Mustangs also dominated four other critical stats, outscoring Saks 32-12 off turnovers, 13-3 in second chance points, 14-8 on fast breaks and 19-0 off the bench.

“I knew they were going to be a tough team to beat,” said Saks head coach Michelle Morgan.

KeKe Fletcher and Lydia McGee were also each named to the All-Tournament team, finishing with 10 and seven points respectively.

Amara Mayers finished with nine points, as a total of 10 Mustangs scored in the game.

For Saks, Addesha Collins finished with a game-high 21 points, followed by Taylor West with five.

The Mustangs will take on Montgomery Academy on Wednesday, March 2 at 3 p.m. at the Birmingham Jefferson Convention Complex.

“We’re going to state!” said Fletcher.